Santiago Rodríguez Pérez, president of Asprocan, assessed his two years as head of the association and warned of the high risks posed by the potential new agreements that the EU is making with banana producing countries from the Americas. Deviating from the topic, he states, "I can't tell my children to work in the banana sector because subsistence is no longer guaranteed."
Although mild in form, Santiago Rodríguez doesn't hold back when defending his sub sector and when he criticizes farmers from the Canary Islands who say the governments and EU funds privilege banana producers. "Every time I hear that I get angry. It's not only a lie, but it makes me wonder about the people claiming they have powerful arguments to prove it. It is actually very difficult to make a living from bananas and I wouldn't even dare to ask my children to follow in my footsteps."
Are you concerned about the potential agreements between the EU and American producing countries?
I'm very worried. We fear the worst following the agreements with Colombia and Peru. We do not know exactly what will happen if the EU starts paying 75 euro per ton, but it won't be good for the Canaries.
Can't you do anything about it?
We tried to stop it, but it was very complicated. From what I'm seeing, the canaries are the bargaining chip in these negotiations.
Will it be an inflection point for the Canarian banana?
We don't really know what the impact on the market will be as it hasn't happened yet, but it's certain it will be bad for everyone because we won't be able produce or compete at those prices. There's no ambiguity in this, we either bet on our production or abandon it.
What do you think to those who say that the governments and the EU spoil banana farmers?
That topic really upsets me. I'm outraged. We are selling our bananas at a lower price. We have proved that the grants we receive are justified. There's no such thing as a free lunch.
Wine growers in Tenerife, for example, have always complained that they represent 35% of the cultivated area and receive much less money from Europe than the banana sector, which represents 12% of the surface.
That makes me wonder where the representatives of that industry have been all this time. I mean, if they have such a strong case, what have they been doing? Are resting on their laurels? Where have they been?
What are your achievements in your two years as president of Asprocan?
Above all, unifying the sub sector, because we were a little split and there were rifts amongst us. I also believe its important have obtained the carbon footprint or recognition as a protected geographical indication for the Canarian banana.
Is the quality of the Canarian banana well promoted or is there still need for improvement?
Our market is basically the mainland, where we have a 70% share and 75% of the value. We've had great promotion campaigns there, but we've had to pay high economic quantities to do so. We can't afford to do the same in other markets. In the Canary Islands, of course, we've reached 100% of the market, but I can't rule out that foreign bananas will get here someday.
Is there a future for agriculture in the Canary Islands?
There is, if they deliver what other sub sectors have been promised. One thing is for sure: others won't improve if we disappear. The commitments must be met and I sympathize with those who have not been given the promised state aid. Foreign competition is getting stronger and there are too many products that don't have to meet the standards or legal requirements, working conditions and obstacles we have here.
Even though there is a recovery of banana expansions in areas like El Rincón, in the Valle de La Orotava, what would you say to a young entrepreneur who wants to start in this subsector?
The truth is, it is difficult to start from scratch now. I don't have many convincing arguments to give a young man who wants to bet on this. Indeed, it is difficult to live from this. I can't even ask my children to follow in my footsteps, because they've been witness to our current sacrifices.
Source: Eldia.es